In response to the current drought crisis across NSW, DOOLEYS has donated $100,000 cash to Rural Aid.

Rural Aid is a registered charity that was founded in 2015 to provide a holistic support program to rural Australia.  The starting point for the charity was the success of the Buy a Bale campaign, which to date has received over $4.5 million in donations and distributed this through fodder, hampers and more.

“100% of NSW has now been declared ‘in drought’,” said DOOLEYS Chairman Mr John Munce.  “Farmers and regional communities are in crisis and this in turn has an impact on families, businesses and industries right across the state.  DOOLEYS is honoured to be in a position to be able to provide this donation to support drought relief efforts across our state.”

Wayne Thomson, General Manager of Rural Aid, visited DOOLEYS on Thursday 20 September to accept the $100,000 donation and speak with DOOLEYS Directors and staff about the work currently being undertaken by Rural Aid across NSW. 

“When Rural Aid started 3 years ago, we had 150 people registered for help,” explained Wayne.  “Today, this number has skyrocketed to over 4,000.”

Rural Aid has a number of important projects currently underway including mental health counselling for farmers and their families as well as music diversion programs for children in schools in drought affected areas.  Rural Aid is also working with Bendigo Bank to provide donations to rural towns/communities to ensure assistance is also available for local business people in drought affected areas.

Throughout September, DOOLEYS has also been undertaking a number of other fundraising activities throughout its three venues to raise additional funds including:

• Parma for a Farmer - $1 from every Chicken Parmigiana sold donated to Rural Aid
• All proceeds from Friday and Sunday raffles at DOOLEYS Lidcombe to be donated
• Donation tins available at Club receptions and bistros

These additional funds raised will also be donated to Rural Aid.  For further information about Rural Aid and its projects and services, please visit www.ruralaid.org.au